Are There Problems With The Verizon BlackBerry 8830 Launch?

by Robb Dunewood on May 14, 2007 · 93 comments

Rumor has it that Verizon is having issues surrounding the laucnh of the BlackBerry 8830. BGR is reporting that customer service reps have stated that the “website and sales department can not process any orders because of a glitch with the process.”

Verizon BlackBerry 8830

BlackBerry


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  • Larry NYC

    I ordered my 8830 through my firm’s business rep on Monday, and it arrived on Tuesday, May 15. No problems here.

  • Jo

    I ordered my blackberry 8830 on Tues. and got it on Wed. – Have not been able to activate the phone. Verizon says there is a corporate wide issue! So much for America’s most reliable network!

  • Larry NYC

    Very odd, #2. Mine is working perfectly. No problem activating. Where are you located?

  • Common

    I ordered mine last night, should be here tuesday! *Fingers Crossed* Not a verizon business customer

  • Prswamp

    Well, got mine a few days ago…phone works but can’t sync. RIM and Verizon are saying I have to take the phone back to get new software put on.

    Bummer…

  • kellie rae

    Well, I must have the worst business rep ever. Order the phone on the 14th and still don’t have it. He told me that Verizon was not prepared for the demand. WHAT? If anyone knows a good business rep in Cincinnati, please let me know. Ours sucks!!

  • commonbelief

    Got mine today right on schedule! I love this phone!

  • http://www.zoobos.com Eric S.

    I have been a VZW customer for 2 years and my contract will expire in 3 days. I have currently the 7250. I was planning to leave in order to get a better BBerry, now I am considering staying and get the 8830. What are the pros and cons of that phone?
    Thanks

  • Larry NYC

    #8, it is a terrific phone and e-mail device. Best I’ve had (and I’ve had a lot). To me, the only issue is which carrier would you prefer to be on. For me, Verizon is the answer because in NYC, where I use it most often, they have the best coverage.

    If you live in an area where Cingular/ATT has better coverage, then the 8800 might be a better choice. The Verizon 8830 is “burdened” by 2 phone protocols: CDMA for domestic use, and GSM for international use. It remains to be seen what, if any, effect supporting two protocols will have in the long run. Furthermore, if you travel overseas often, Cingular/ATT international rates are substantially less than Verizon’s rates. Verizon charges $1.29 – $2.49/minute depending on the country, while Cingular/ATT, with an international calling plan, charges $.99/minute.

    Hope that helps.

  • http://www.zoobos.com Eric S.

    It did help indeed. I am going to stick with VZW then.

  • John M.

    Got my 8830 on Thursday (5/31) and I couldn’t be happier. Great phone, fantastic BBerry! This puppy is fast… no lag. You give it a command and ‘BAM’… it’s done. The screen is sharp and has great color. The automatic backlight adustment works great in all kinds of environments. The trackball is intiutive and very slick. The keyboard is nicely sized. The whole unit is compact and lightweight. Makes my buddies Treo’s and Samsung i730/i830 phones look like sumo wrestlers.

    I got hooked up to the corporate BES without any issues. Although I don’t sync my contacts wirelessly, I use CardScan… so that took a couple extra steps. Had to get a software ‘connector’ from CardScan for the BBerry. Now everything works like it’s supposed to. I separated the SMS mailbox from the main one and set up separate notificaton tones so I know when the wife or kids have texted me, as opposed to just another of the 70 to 80 business email I get each day.

    When Documents to Go for the Blackberry comes out in a couple of months I’ll be set. The 8830 will open a Word or Excel attachment, but won’t allow any editing. With DoctoGo I’ll be able to create new documents and edit existing ones on the road.

  • DanMan

    I got my 8830 within 2 days of ordering it and it has proven that it is the best out right now. I was afraid that going from the US to different countries would be an issue, but it has been flawless. I have been on 3 short trips and the phone is a champ!!! VZW hit a homerun with this one!!!

  • james mcmanamy

    BB8830/Verizon, using a BES Server. Is anyone able to successfully sync their calendar, contacts, and tasks using the wireless sync? Does it work in both directions? Thanks.

  • mitch garbow

    on my second 8830 this week and having the same problem with both phones; when making an out-going call and simulataneously receiving an in-coming call, the phone freezes up, loses both calls and then is unable to make an out-going call until I remove the battery and replace. Verizon tech support is baffled; Blackberry tech support is looking into it. Anyone else experiencing this? Any ideas on how to fix? I really like the phone otherwise.

  • james mcmanamy

    Same problem re outgoing and ingoing. Phone freezes up. Have to remove battery to get it going. Any fixes out there?

  • TH

    On my second 8830 and I’m having big trouble with e-mail. Can send but can’t receive. Verizon on it for days, but no resolution. At Verizon’s suggestions, exchanged device for another one, same problem. My frustration level is about to max out.

  • http://www.pinstack.com Commonbelief

    TH

    What type of email is it you’re having problems with? Exactly what type of problems are you having? I assume you went to https://bis.na.blackberry.com/html?brand=vzw and registered your service with blackberry and set up your emails there right?
    I’m sure we can figure this out

  • Troy D

    Got my phone 2 weeks ago and starting to experience problems. My 8830 didn’t synch to my 5 series BMW, but I can’t be too surprised about that since they didn’t show that it could synch in the first place (although it did). Now, I can’t hear anything when calling unless I put it in speaker mode. I think the phone things it’s linked to the car and using its speaker system to communicate. Very frustrating!

  • TH

    Common Belief…
    Yes, went to website as indicated, checked filters…..even deleted after last week’s failures and reentered.
    Entered new e-mail addresses and passwords on the new device.
    I get occasional e-mails, but many being left behind.
    Went to BB website this evening and read about Service Books, Hard Resets, etc etc………rather bizarre since most users are able to set up accounts quite easily and get going.

  • http://www.pinstack.com Commonbelief

    Yeah, very strange. go to the forums at pinstack.com. I’m pretty confident someone there can help you. It’s a great forum for blackberry owners.

  • james mcmanamy

    TroyD: Re your problem with the BB. I have a Benz and my BB is set to Bluetooth and also to Discoverable. When the phone gets within range of the car, the car grabs it, the Blue light on the BB starts blinking and the car is in control. You have to use the car’s buttons to dial and it’s speakerphones and microphone. When you leave the car, you can press the red END button and it shows a disconnect from the Benz system. You can then use the phone. From what you see, you can’t be on the phone in the car, and pick it up, get out of the car and use the phone. You have to disconnect the call and re-connect. Not sure if BMW system is similar. I have a new Bluetooth Adapter in the Benz and it sync’s perfectly with the BB 8830/Verizon, downloads phone book automatically. Good luck.

  • Andrew Hussey

    I have the same problem making outgoing calls with my BB 8830. I’ve only had the phone for one week with Verizon, and already, I’m on my second BB 8830. First I thought it was just a problem with the first phone. Then, all of a sudden it happened with this one. I’ve only had the second phone for a day. I can receive outgoing calls, but cannot make outgoing calls. Its says: “Cannot connect. Call in progress.” and will not allow you to make a call no matter what you do – powering off the phone with the on/off power button doesn’t help; pressing the end key doesn’t help. The only thing that works is a soft/hard reset – removing the battery. Its frustrating, I have a rubber sleeve over the BB and everytime it happens I have to remove it just to get the battery lid off to remove it. Also, it seems to only happen when I’m in the middle of a call and another call comes in. Once I accept the second call and say “hello” i get no response from the caller, hang up, lose both lines, and try to call anybody back (that’s where the problem is, it will not let you). I love the phone otherwise, but if it can’t be fixed soon I’m going to wait for all the bugs to be sorted out and use an old phone for the time being. Paying the extra money for the BB internet use puts my bill around $140/month, not worth it to me if I have to keep putting up with the calling problems.

  • Andrew Hussey

    I have no problems with the BB 8830 syncing to my 3 Series BMW (’07 335i).. you may have to remove an old device from the cars Bluetooth pairing list. I removed my old phones once I got the phone books transfered. You also have to remember to put the car in search mode and the phone in add a new device mode. It will locate the BMW and the BB will have to create a pass code for the BMW to enter using the keys on the radio. Once the BMW enters the PIN it connects and the two are paired. When you get the pop up on the BB about linking the two, check off the box that says “dont ask this question again” so that once you enter and turn on the car’s ignition, they will pair automatically. When talking on the phone using the BMWs bluetooth, it uses the car’s mic as the input device and the 13 speakers as the output device. Hope this all helps.

    I hope RIM/BB/and Verizon fix these problems quick. While they’re doing that, they should add a camera to the phone. AT&T/Bellsouth has the BlackBerry Curve, but I hate large amount of dropped calls my girlfriend had with them; along with crapy reception in Weston; verizon’s service is way better.

  • john

    Has anyone else had an issue removing the damn back to get at the battery? The push release doesn’t work and I can’t get it open to remove battery>

  • commonbelief

    John,getting the battery cover off is a pain in the arse. I have a skin on my 8830 from bestskinsever and the grip you get from it seems to help. But you’re not alone on the issue you point out!

  • TR

    I’m thinking of getting an 8830. Currently have a Treo 700w w/ vzw wireless sync working nicely with outlook. Is there any way of doing wireless sync on the 8830 with outlook without a BES?? Although wireless sync is working ok, my Treo is killing me; slow, unreliable, and daily reseting.

    Any help would be great, but from what I’ve read, without a BES, I’m out of luck.

  • http://www.pinstack.com Commonbelief

    TR,

    Through Verizon, if you go to https://bis.na.blackberry.com/html?brand=vzw once you have your Blackberry, you can “Add An Existing Email Account, Set up an existing work or personal email account for use with your BlackBerry device. ex. Yahoo!®, Gmailâ„¢, Microsoft Outlook®” and the BlackBerry server will push it through to your handheld.
    I’m new to Blackberry’s, this 8830 is my first and I’m hooked! But unless I’m wrong, you should be fine without a BES with your outlook. I do not have a BES either and I get my Gmail on my phone sometimes 30 seconds before it shows up on my Gmail account!! I can be sitting at my computer on my Gmail account, and my phone will beep showing Gmail before I see it on my computer!
    If you ever have any BlackBerry quetions, I highly suggest checking out pinstack.com, it’s a huge Blackberry community with tons of answers.

    Common

  • Jay

    John,
    If you press on the (Micro SD) silver emblem (I think it’s the battery cover release button), with your left thumb; while pushing with your right thumb fingernail at the lower part of the battery cover. Right below (QualcoMM 3G CDMA). Apply a small amount of pressure at both points at the same time. The cover should come off fairly easy. I had trouble too at the start. Hope this helps.

    Jay

  • Larry NYC

    I just returned from a week in Paris and I am happy to report that my Verizon 8830 worked exactly as advertised. An absolutely seamless transition upon landing at Charles de Gaulle last Tuesday. When I powered up the 8830, it immediately located the GSM network, e-mails started to flow, and once I figured out the dialing format for local and international calls (just dial + 1 and the area code to dial back to the States), voice was a snap. From Blackberry Messenger, to web browsing, e-mail and voice, it all worked perfectly and quickly.

    And upon my return to NYC, and again powering back on the phone, I was automatically back on the Verizon CDMA network.

    I can’t express how pleased I was with the way the 8830 functioned.

    Just about my only complaint about the device is the one that has appeared in several of the postings. I find it extremely difficult to remove the back cover. Fortunately, there has not seemed to be any need to do so!

  • JEFF

    Attempting to set up the email on 8830, so far the phone has been working fine.
    after setting up the BB internet service account I can send emails fine, I still need to set up the desk top software to sync, can this be done on exchange server instead of the desktop? we do not have BES. Service through verizon.
    We had a MOTO Q prior and have a verison push account set up there.

  • Chaim H

    I have the same problem as 14 and 15. when i get an incoming call while i am trying to make an outgoing call the phone freezes and requires a soft reset…

    Any one find a fix yet?

    I just got the phone 2 days ago and have had to soft reset 6 -7 times…

    It really sucks…

  • Desiree

    I bought the new Verizon 8830 and it does not open attachements spent two hours on the phone with BB rep which was extremly nice and tried everything to troubleshoot my device unfortunately it still does not open picture, word, adobe any kind of attachements: after paying $300.00 – the $100 mail in rebate this device should OPEN ATTACHEMENTS but it does not! Did I forget to mention this is my second one because the original BB 8830 didn’t open attachments as well.

  • Peter

    I purchased the 8830 last week. It works well, although the memory disappears very quickly. I have to perform a soft reset to get the free memory back up to normal, otherwise the device erases my SMS messages, emails, and call logs.

    Anyone else have this problem or know how to fix it?

  • Andrew C Hussey

    I spoke with a BB rep at Verizon and told him about the freezing issue, recreated the problem on his personal phone, and they’re addressing it. He gave me a call back and said they are aware of it and are going to put a software update out asap. As soon as it comes out, i’m going back to buy it.

  • Alyssa Salerno

    I just turned my damn BB 8830 off and it won’t turn back on. To turn it on, I have to hold the end button down, right? I just got the phone yesterday. Help! :)

  • commonbelief

    Alyssa, yup hold down the top left button. If it doesn’t turn back on do a battery pull then try again. How did you turn off the phone? Don’t hold the red button on the face but use the power off bitton in options.

  • Alyssa Salerno

    Hello, Common.
    I turned it off by powering down in options, I didn’t hold the end button down. I tried your suggestion and it worked. Thank you very much, darlin. I don’t want to have to go through this all the time. I mean, it should be simple. I appreciate it a lot. -Alyssa Ihatecrybabies@hotmail.com

  • http://www.pinstack.com commonbelief

    No prob! I’ve had that problem a time or two also. There are a couple little quirks like that I’ve found, but I still love this phone!
    Take care

  • Alyssa Salerno

    I love it too! Thanks again, bye bye!

  • Karen T

    I just got my 8830 yesterday and have been sending and receiving emails without any problem whatsoever… until a few hours ago. Suddenly, I wasn’t receiving them. I have been able to send quickly, without difficulty (and the receivers all received what I sent). I just now received 2 email messages that were sent a few hours ago. I know this whole mobile IE and email is not a perfect beast, but anyone know why this happens with the email? More important, what to do when it happens? Am I possibly turning something off that should stay on?

    Also, I wasn’t loving the task function or Today screen, so I am using a trial of “Pocket Day.” It makes a “Today” screen that is much more functional.

    Overall, I do love this phone.

  • Javier

    About the “call in progess” freeze thing…I discovered this occurs when switching between two calls by using the green/talk button. The Verizon CS reps were no help and simply suggested we take the phone back since it appeared defective. I switched phones once and when it happened on the second phone, I suspected there was something wrong about the way I was switching lines. I went back to reading the manual. To switch between calls, press the menu key or the track ball and select the “Answer – hold current” or the “flash” option. Using this method will switch between calls and prevent the lock up. Do not use the green talk button to switch between lines. Hope this helps.

  • Javier

    FYI: This is what the manual says although it is not quite clear how you get to the options they describe. Well, you press the menu or track ball to get the options…

    Answer a call
    • To answer a call, click Answer.
    • To end a current call and answer the incoming call, click Answer – Drop Current.
    • To place a current call on hold and answer the incoming call, click Answer – Hold Current.
    • To leave a conference call and answer the incoming call, click Answer – Drop All.
    To end the call, press the End key.

  • judy

    HELP! I’m tech-challenged and my IT guy (17 y.o. son) is now in another state. Also experiencing not being able to make outgoing calls w/message “cannot connect. Call in progress. I am in a remote location w/ NO Verizon store. So…

    1. What is a “soft reset” and how is it done?

    2. If I do above, will I lose stored info?

    Any help is greatly appreciated!!!!!!

  • http://www.pinstack.com commonbelief

    A soft reset more or less is just pulling your battery. You won’t lose any data or info by doing it.

  • Joshua Levenson

    I love the 8830 for its ability to easily navigate through the OS using the trackball, but I have found the most annoying bug.

    If the phone is slow to respond and you hit the call button twice it will think that it is in a conferrence call. The only way to correct this situation is to soft reset it. Thinking about going back to my old one until they fix the bugs.

  • Kai

    Having problems. I receive a SMS/Text message and delete it but it still shows as an unread item in messages screen. Only able to fix this by doing a soft reset. I am getting pissed off as I have had to clear my messages screen many many times by opening and lcing the batetry cover and takign the battery out (soft reset). Anyone know a way around this?

  • Jin

    Kai! I have same issue , im gonna change to new bb8830 and see if its ok , i will post it here again ,

  • Gretchen

    has anyone had problems with dropped calls with the Verizon 8830? I never had any problems on my razer, but since I switched to the 8830, I keep getting dropped calls. It happened just now in a duane reade in nyc!

  • Bryan

    What about voice quality on the Verizon 8830? I am on my second 8830 and still seem to have horrible voice reception and transmission. It can be the coverage as others with Verizon phones are fine.

  • NavyGuy

    Similar question, thinking about switching to Verizon, like the BB for the obvious reasons, but tried the phone in the store and it had “delays” when calling a local plain old telephone system (POTS) land line. The LG8700/LG8600/Motorola RAZR were crystal clear. Not sure if the phone needed a software update or if the unit was there for a reason, but why would you demo an inferior product? Echo Gretchen & Bryan, very interested in how everyones BB 8830 is performing in regards to weak or problematic areas as compared to a standard phone. Being a Navy Sailor I will be faced with constant weak signals aboard ship and need a phone with stellar reception. Love to have the BB, but if it can’t manage to obtain or keep a phone call then it’s a non-starter. Hope this was just a VZW store problem. Thanks in Advance.

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